Canned Soups Recalled

A Canadian company is recalling various brands
and flavors of canned soup sold in stores across the United States
because they might be contaminated with botulism.

The canned soups, sold in 10 3/4-ounce cans and made by Les
Produits Freddy Inc. of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, were distributed to
U.S. stores nationwide, though the number of cans is not known, the
Food and Drug Administration said today.

Some of the cans may have been incorrectly processed to prevent
the growth of a bacterium that causes botulism, said Joe Baca,
director of the FDA’s office of field programs. The FDA, which was
notified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about the problem,
doesn’t know when or how the contamination was discovered, Baca
said. No illnesses have been reported.

Several Brands Affected
Symptoms of botulism, which can be fatal, include weakness,
dizziness, double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing,
difficulty breathing, abdominal problems and constipation. People
experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical
attention, the FDA said.

Les Produits Freddy Inc. President Giancarlo Distefano did not
immediately return a message left today.

Cream of Chicken Soup sold under the brands Wegmans, Stop &
Shop, Tasty Classics and Baron.

Cream of Celery Soup sold under the brands Wegmans, Stop &
Shop and Tasty Classics.

Soups Sold Nationwide
The Stop & Shop soups were sold at Stop & Shop stores throughout
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island,
and at Edwards Stores in New Jersey and New York.

The Tasty Classics soups were sold at Hy-Vee Food and Drug
Stores in Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas and
Missouri; in Fareway Stores in Iowa and Illinois; and in Canned
Foods Grocery Outlets stores in California, Washington, Oregon,
Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii.

The Wegmans soups were sold at Wegmans Stores in New York, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Baron soups were sold nationwide at
various grocery stores.

The FDA said consumers should not eat the soup and can return
the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.